Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
School of Dental Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Int J Dent Hyg. 2024 Nov;22(4):870-877. doi: 10.1111/idh.12804. Epub 2024 Apr 4.
This study aims to evaluate the effect of prolonged hospitalization on the maintenance of dental health and to assess the nursing staff's approach to addressing these concerns.
A survey questionnaire explored changes in the routine dental care of patients hospitalized for over a month. The involvement of nursing staff in addressing dental care was also evaluated.
Fifty adult patients aged 18-89 years (mean age 62.4 ± 20.54 years), 27 (54%) males, completed the survey. During hospitalization (mean 58.59 ± 38.63 days) 26% and 18%, increased consumption of sweets and sugary beverages, between meals, respectively; 26% and 20% of the patients reduced the frequency of tooth brushing in the morning and in the evening, respectively, and 42.2% of them, reduced the quality of their toothbrushing during hospitalization. Nevertheless, 95.9% and 93.9% of them were never instructed during hospitalization to limit their consumption of sweets and sugary beverages and 83.3% and 62.5% of them had never been reminded or offered assistance during hospitalization in performing toothbrushing, respectively. The lower frequency of morning toothbrushing was significantly correlated with a lack of nurses' assistance (p = 0.004). In contrast, 62.6% reported they were reminded every day to shower. Patients in the rehabilitation and geriatrics departments reported a greater need for a brush/toothpaste (p < 0.0001) and assistance in toothbrushing (p < 0.0001).
Prolonged hospitalization leads to significant deterioration in inpatients' dental health maintenance. Raising awareness among nurses regarding their inpatient's oral health maintenance is warranted. Providing patients with toothbrushes, toothpaste and educational materials upon hospitalization is recommended.
本研究旨在评估住院时间延长对维持口腔健康的影响，并评估护理人员对此问题的处理方法。
问卷调查探讨了住院超过一个月的患者常规口腔护理的变化，评估了护理人员在处理口腔护理方面的参与情况。
共有 50 名 18-89 岁（平均年龄 62.4 ± 20.54 岁）的成年患者，其中男性 27 名（54%）完成了调查。住院期间（平均 58.59 ± 38.63 天），分别有 26%和 18%的患者增加了日间和两餐之间的甜食和含糖饮料摄入量；分别有 26%和 20%的患者减少了早晚刷牙的频率；42.2%的患者在住院期间刷牙质量下降。然而，95.9%和 93.9%的患者在住院期间从未被指示限制甜食和含糖饮料的摄入，83.3%和 62.5%的患者在住院期间从未被提醒或提供帮助进行刷牙。早上刷牙频率较低与缺乏护士协助显著相关（p = 0.004）。相比之下，62.6%的患者报告说他们每天都被提醒洗澡。康复和老年科的患者报告说更需要牙刷/牙膏（p < 0.0001）和刷牙协助（p < 0.0001）。
住院时间延长会导致住院患者口腔健康维护明显恶化。有必要提高护士对住院患者口腔健康维护的认识。建议患者在住院时提供牙刷、牙膏和教育材料。
